Viva la Verve Just Because!

Hi there and Happy Friday!  I'm happy it's almost the weekend!  We don't have many plans this weekend, just hanging out at the in-laws tomorrow and football on Sunday!  Oh, and maybe I'll sneak in a couple cards!

I sat down this morning to make a card for today's Viva la Verve sketch!  Maureen is our host this week and she has a fantastic sketch for you to play with!  I tweaked it just a bit by making my card a square, but I pretty much stuck to the original sketch!

 I pulled out Great Friend (one of my fave Verve sets and it's ON SALE) because it had been awhile since I'd used it.  The flowers were paper pieced.  I cut out each layer of flower and popped it up on foam tape for dimension.  Each flower was finished with a decorative brad.  The sentiment was cut out with an oval tab die from MFT.  The ribbon is some gorgeous seam binding from The Cat's Pajamas.  A little machine stitching finishes the card.

Here is the sketch:

We'd love to have you play along!  If you complete all the sketches for October, you'll be entered to win a Verve gift certificate!  You can see all the challenge details here!

Thanks for stopping by!

Swimming For Katie Blog Hop Day #!

Hi there everyone!  I am so proud to be participating in the Swimming For Katie Renz blog hop and fundraiser!  Today is the final day of blog hops so I hope you'll take the time to hop around to see what everyone has made using this image created just for Katie!

From October 10-12 some of the best stampers are joining together to support and encourage our friend and fellow stamper, Katie Renz, who is currently battling inoperable gastric cancer.  If you're not familiar with her, Katie’s cancer story started just before Christmas last year.  This young, beautiful, healthy, vibrant mother of 3 with her infectious smile was suddenly diagnosed with an inoperable cancer, virtually overnight.  A few tummy aches and then stage 4 gastric cancer.  Her first post about it is here.  The idea of “Swimming for Katie” came from her recent post here.

This exclusive stamp used in my sample, designed by Becky Oehlers is available as a clear stamp, as well as a digis or a dig and SVG cut file.  100% of the profits go to Katie's fund to help her and her young family.  Her husband Kevin and her three young children need our help and support.  In addition to the Keep Swimming Octopus, Marianne Walker and True =D Doodle Designs both also donated digis that are for sale.  Direct donations are also being accepted.  Information central is HERE.  This is a permanent page that will stay active at i {heart} papers with current information and the full 3 day blog hop listing, as well as the donation button.

I LOVE how the stamping community comes together when someone is in need.  You see, I don't personally know Katie....I know her as a stamper, a great one, and I know about her battle with Cancer and about her family through her blog.  I pray for Katie everyday....I pray that she will get better so she can stand beside her husband and watch her kids grow.  It's so hard to see anyone, especially a Mom, deal with so much.  So here I am.....doing just a small part to raise money for such a GREAT cause.  So if you're the praying type, pray for Katie.  I know she can use all our prayers in her fight.

I hope you will join me in supporting Katie through a purchase or donation.  The following is a list of everyone who has projects posted today.  I hope you will be inspired by them and moved to purchase or donate.  If you would like to send Katie a card, her mailing address is:

Katie Renz

PO Box 5913

Bellingham, WA 98227-5913

Today's Participants:

Amy Heller
Jackie Pedro
Julie Masse
Kecia Waters
Sandie Dunne
Susan Liles
Latisha Yoast
Laurie Schmidlin
Lisa Arana
Lisa Henke
Lisa Silver
Lydia Fiedler
Lyn Bernatovich
Lynette
Maria Gurnsey
Meg Craig
Melissa Bickford
Michelle Woerner
Mona Pendleton
Niki Estes
Robyn Weatherspoon
Sarah Jay
Sarah Martina Parker
Savannah O'Gwynn
Stephanie Washburn
Susanna Boyd
Tobi Crawford
Julie Lacey
Kim Kesti
Shemaine Smith
Danielle Lounds
Debbie Carriere
DoBea A.
Fran Gumprech
Geny Cassady
Gina K.
Holly McMillen
Jak Heath
Javablustamper/Jacquie
Kimberly Crawford
Jeanne Streiff
Trudy Sjolander

Thanks for stopping by!

MFT October Creative Challenge ~ Be Negative!

Hi there!  It's time for the MFT Design Team Creative Challenge for October!  This month's challenge was truly a challenge for me!!  HA!  But before I get to my card, here is a little info on today's challenge:

In 2011, MFT is working harder than ever to inspire you, and we have come up with something we think you'll really enjoy. Our Design Team Creative Challenge is a new monthly feature, where we challenge our design team to explore their creative side using a specific theme, product or technique. This month, we're going to "be negative."   Our designers will show you what you can do with the negative space after you cut out your Die-namics, or the other half of patterned paper, cardstock or felt that is leftover when you're done with your Die-namics! Visit Kim's Blog to see exactly what we've been up to, you'll find a full list of designers that have taken up the challenge!

Thankful For You:

For my card I used one of the newest à la modes: Sweetest Pumpkin in the Patch.  She was colored with Copics.  See the scalloped frame surrounding her?  That's where the challenge came in!  I cut out an Oval Decorative Doily from the patterned paper and used the negative to frame the à la mode.  I saved the Oval Decorative Doily that I cut out for another project.  Fun!  The flowers were made with the Prima Donna Die-namics.  A sentiment flag, cut using the First Place Award Winning Ribbon die and some machine stitching finish the card!

Thanks for stopping by!

The Cat's Pajamas Release Blog Hop!

Hi there and welcome to The Cat's Pajamas Release Party Blog Hop!  Every stamp set and Cut Ups die you've seen peeked over the last week is now available at the TCP store!

The Cat Pack is also combining this blog hop with today's TCP Tuesday challenge, TCPTues180!!   If you arrived here from Maggie's blog then you're in the right place!  If you've just happened along then head on over to Leigh's Blog to start from the beginning!

Leigh is our Hostess with the Mostess and she has given us a FABULOUS sketch to work with!  I'll quit chatting and get right to it!

Told you it was a great sketch!  I used the new set Clownin' Around for my card.  I just love these adorable penguins!  The papers are from the October Afternoon Sidewalks 8x8 pad.  It was hard cutting into these papers!  LOL!  I {L.O.V.E} them!

The penguin was colored with Copics, fussy cut out and popped up for dimension.  His balloon was paper pieced.  I used Star Nestabilities to cut out the star and the Cut Ups Easy Rosette die to cut out the sentiment.  Some machine stitching finishes the card!

Your next stop on this hop is to Lori's Blog!  I know she has some fantastic eye candy for you!

Thanks for stopping by!

TCP Sneaky Peek ~ Presto!

Hi there!  I'm back today with another sneaky peek from The Cat's Pajamas!  Today we're giving you peeks of another adorable bunny set called Presto!  I LOVE the sentiments in this set, too!

To see a full list of Cat Packers participating today, just head on over to Alma's Blog!

I went black and white with just a touch of blue.  The bunny was colored with Copic Markers.  And let me take a moment to tell you how much I love the new Cut Ups Circus Panels.  There are three dies that layer together or can be used on their own.  I layered two of them here with the sentiment.  I cut another of the Circus Panels from True Black cardstock, cut it in half and embossed it with a Seeing Spots Embossing Folder.   I got his idea from my fellow brilliant Cat Packer, Amy Rohl.  That girl is full of ideas!  Anywho....I used the new Cut Ups Circus Border down the left side of my card.  Some black machine stitching and a button tied with Black Licorice Divine Twine finishes my card!

Want to win something?! All you have to do is comment on this thread. It can be about anything. The Sneaky Peeks, techniques you like to use, some you'd like to see, the weather. Anything you want.

Then each day during Sneaky Peek Week, starting on Tuesday, October 4, we'll randomly choose a winner from the comments on this thread. The winner will win the set that we are Sneaky Peeking that day.

And all you have to do to win is comment! The more comments the better. Easy Peasy. We'll announce the winner each day on the Sneaky Peek thread, and the winner has one week to PM me.

Thanks for stopping by!

TCP Sneak Peek ~ Oh Chute!

Hi there!   Aren't you happy it's Friday?  I am so happy it's the weekend!  We have NOTHING planned and that makes me a happy camper!  

I'm back today with another sneak peek from The Cat's Pajamas!  Today's set is called Oh Chute and it is so adorable!  To see all of the Cat Packer's participating in today's peeks, just head on over to Alma's Blog!

Told you!  Adorable Alert!  The bunny was stamped on the cloud paper and then I stamped him a second time, colored him with Copics and then cut him out an adhered him to the main image panel.  The parachute was paper pieced.  The layout is this week's Deconstructed Sketch #22.  I used my fave Cut Ups Cloud Border die with some felt for the clouds.  The sentiment was cut out with circle punches.  I finished the card with some machine stitching!  All of the patterned papers are MME Lime Twist Fly a Kite.

Want to win something?! All you have to do is comment on this thread. It can be about anything. The Sneaky Peeks, techniques you like to use, some you'd like to see, the weather. Anything you want.

Then each day during Sneaky Peek Week, starting on Tuesday, October 4, we'll randomly choose a winner from the comments on this thread. The winner will win the set that we are Sneaky Peeking that day.

And all you have to do to win is comment! The more comments the better. Easy Peasy. We'll announce the winner each day on the Sneaky Peek thread, and the winner has one week to PM me.

That's all from me today!  Thanks for stopping by!

It's Sneaky Peek Week at TCP!

Hi there!  It's Sneaky Peek Week over at The Cat's Pajamas and do we have some goodness in store for you!  The peeks started yesterday and will continue through Monday of next week, ending with the Release Pajama Party on Monday October 10th from 8:00 to 10:00 pm EST in The Cat's Pajamas forum on Splitcoaststampers!  I hope you can join us!

Today's peek is of a new set called Bearing Gifts!  It is ADORABLE!  There are also a couple new Cut Ups dies used on my card......so I'll stop yappin' and get right to it!

Cute Cute Cute!  I just love this new image!  I've made my card very girlie with some fun Echo Park Country Drive papers.  The sentiment was cut out with one of the newest Cut Ups dies.......Circus Panels.  Circus Panels is a set of THREE nesting dies that can be used together or alone like I did here!  LOVE the shape!    The other new Cut Ups used on my card is the Circus Border.  I will be using this die A LOT!   L.O.V.E.!  

I colored the bear with Copics and paper pieced the bows on the present.  A gem flourish and some machine stitching finish the card....

We are gearing up for our October Release! It's been awhile since our last release, and boy, is this release going to be a fun one.

With 7 New Stamp Sets and 4 New CutUps Dies, we'll be giving you a Sneaky Peek on this forum each day.

Want to win something?! All you have to do is comment on this thread. It can be about anything. The Sneaky Peeks, techniques you like to use, some you'd like to see, the weather. Anything you want.

Then each day during Sneaky Peek Week, starting on Tuesday, October 4, we'll randomly choose a winner from the comments on this thread. The winner will win the set that we are Sneaky Peeking that day.

And all you have to do to win is comment! The more comments the better. Easy Peasy. We'll announce the winner each day on the Sneaky Peek thread, and the winner has one week to PM me.

So what are you waiting for? I know you've got something to say.

Thanks for stopping by!

MFT New Product Tour!

Hi there and welcome to the My Favorite Things New Product Tour!  All of the new stamp sets and Die-namics you've seen over the last seven days are now available for purchase in the MFT Boutique!  But wait!!!  Don't leave before you see what I've made using one of the newest à la modes:  Sweetest Pumpkin in the Patch!

Head on over to Kim's Blog for a link to each designer!

Thankful For You:

I colored this darling à la mode with Copics.  I tried to make my own dirt/weeds like one of my stamping idols and my fellow MFT teammate, Michele Boyer.  Not as good as hers, but doesn't look too bad.  I'll have to pull out my Prismacolor Pencils next time!  Thank you for the inspiration, Michele!

Anywho....I had to use these MME Six By Six All Spice papers again.  LOVE the fall colors in this pad.  I rounded the corners on each layer with a Corner Chomper and finished each layer with machine stitching.  I used the negative portion of the new Die-namics Postage Stamp Border die on the left side of the bottom panel.  Love that you can use either the positive or negative!   The button was made with the scalloped button from the Die-namics Button Quartet.  The sentiment was cut out with the Die-namics First Place Award Ribbon.  A linen thread bow finishes the front......

And here is the finished inside.....

Thanks for stopping by!

MFT Dienamics Feature and Pre-Release Pep Rally!

Now that we've teased and tempted you all week long, it's almost time for you to grab all of your favorite Brand Spankin' New products from MFT.

But first…it's time for our Die-namics Feature and Pre-Release PEP Rally!  

Our Design Team has been busy creating jaw-dropping and inspiring projects for you, and we've saved the best for last.

Here is an in-depth look at this month's Die-namics, with an opportunity to revisit the amazing sets being released tonight at 10pm EST RIGHT HERE.

And while we are at it, how about we make your life even easier with a "cheat sheet" of all that's new?  Head over to the MFT Blog to print out a shopping list.  

Praying For A Cure:

I started my card with one of the new Pure Innocence images, Have Hope.  She was colored with Copics,  and was cut out.  I popped her up on the Oval Decorative Doily cut from Fossil cardstock.  The patterned paper on the doily was cut using Oval Nestabilities.  The pink decorative edge was made with the Postage Stamp Border.  The sentiment was cut out using the Oval Tab die.  And peeking just behind the linen tied button is the Vintage Flourish die.  Some machine stitching finishes the card!  All of the papers are Echo Park Happy Days.

You can see the Vintage Flourish better in this picture.  It's just a fun decorative element.

  Here are the details about the upcoming release on October 4 at 10 PM EST:

• The MFT release is on October 4 at 10 PM EST. You can attend the release party from 8-10 PM EST here in the forum for fun, games, and prizes! All the new sets and dies will be available October 4 at 10 PM EST.

• Be sure to check in on the guest designer contest to see who is crowned the winner.  The announcement is made in the release party thread, AND on the guest designer contest thread in the MFT forum on SCS.  The winner will receive over $100 in stamp sets and play along with the design team next month.

If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to Kim's blog NOW! Be sure to leave comments as you go for a chance to win one of 2 $10 vouchers being given away daily, just for leaving a comment. :)  The final 2 winners will be announced at the release party, and will also be contacted by e-mail.

Thanks for stopping by!

MFTeasers Day Six!

Hi there!  It's day six of teasers from My Favorite Things and it's Pure Innocence Day!!  We have SEVEN new Pure Innocence images to introduce today:  Girl and Baby, Boy and Baby, Girl Doctor, Pumpkin Patch Girl, Calendula, Have Hope and Precious Little Lamb ~ Where Flowers Bloom.  It was a hard decision which one to choose, but I made a card with the new Pumpkin Patch Girl.  

Thankful For You:

OMGoodness....isn't she cute?  I colored her with Copics and paper pieced her shirt.  All of the papers are MME Mischievous.  The flower was made using the Die-namics Pretty Posies Die and the new Die-namics Vintage Flourish die.  Some machine stitching finishes the main image.

Here's the finished inside.  I used the Die-namics Sweet Stack Label and a sentiment from Pumpkin Patch Girl.

Here are the details about the upcoming release on October 4 at 10 PM EST:

• The MFT release is on October 4 at 10 PM EST. You can attend the release party from 8-10 PM EST here in the forum for fun, games, and prizes! All the new sets and dies will be available October 4 at 10 PM EST.

• The guest designer contest is ON! Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win over $100 in stamp sets and play along with the DT for a month.

• If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to Kim's blog NOW! Be sure to leave comments as you go for a chance to win one of two $10 vouchers being given away just for leaving a comment. :)  All winners will be announced on Tuesday October 4th at 7:30 PM on the MFT Blog!

Thanks for stopping by!